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The person
Studies
I was born in 1970 in Athens. My relationship with travelling began long before that date, through the family’s history of moving, and continues to the present day, playing a decisive role in my career path.
My first memories and explorations started at the AIDA cinema, one of my father’s businesses, where I was seduced by the power of the stage when the lights went out.
Since childhood, I have had a deep curiosity about the human mind and an innate need to connect with others. At that time, children grew up playing in the streets of a neighbourhood. I could easily communicate with people of all ages in the neighbourhood and telling me their pain, even when I was very young. I felt that I could do something for them and often managed to do it and it gave me joy when I could help people overcome the pain…
In my restless adolescence quite by chance, I met Sigmund Freud, a real “beacon”, at the stall of a street bookseller out of the metro station in my area. “Introduction to Psychoanalysis” piqued my curiosity, and I immediately recognized its truth. That was my first acquaintance with Psychology and thus the first “coordinate” was defined.
In 2004, a most important journey began, that of motherhood!
I flew to study in France, as Psychology in domestic universities was still in its infancy. In Normandy, I met the artists of the city of Rouen, I discovered that art could give me relief and the idea of combining Art with Psychology was settled.
In my third year of university, I also met and loved Anthropology, which accompanied me all those years unofficially and alongside psychology until 2022, when I received my master’s degree from Panteion University.
In 1995, returning to Greece, I came across Dramatherapy. This is perhaps the most important meeting, as it bridges Art, Psychology, Psychoanalysis and Anthropology. Dramatherapy also offers new supplies in the Journey to the Soul, Psychotherapy and the connection with the Community.
This is how I find myself studying Drama Therapy at the Institute of Stelios Krasanakis, “Aeon”, and I was lucky enough to meet his excellent colleagues/teachers such as Eva Koukoutsi, Klimis Navridis, the later very dear friend and still missing, Kyveli Vernier, Nicolas Christakis, the also missing Eleni Karabetsou, Christos Kyriazis, Dimitris Dimitriadis and others.
After graduation, the journey continues with hundreds of educational seminars – experiential and non-experiential, conferences and other training that concern the human being in his wholeness (soul and body): psychoanalytic psychotherapy and group psychoanalysis, psychology, systemic psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic training with special populations (such as prison inmates, addicts, people suffering from eating disorders, teachers, artists, etc.), methods for couple therapy, etc. The same happens with techniques and methods related to the arts such as physical theatre, forum theatre and Theater of the Oppressed, Butoh, the unique method of Theodore Terzopoulos, pantomime and circus, visual and mixed techniques, theatre lighting, but also many years of practice in tai chi chuan, yoga, etc. In 2018, I complemented the above training with a multi-month specialization in Performance Art from the National University of Athens.
Since 2013, ethnography has entered my life for good, and it is the period of travel to the Balkans and then the experimentation with Ethnodrama began, which has become part of my work since then, thanks to the Konitsa Summer School, from the University of Ioannina and the charismatic Professor Vasilis Nitsiakos and his amazing collaborators.
In parallel with the above, as a patient myself, in addition to the four years of drama therapy, I underwent several years of systemic and psychoanalytic therapies, individually and in a group.
Each approach illuminated another side of me, while all of them together shaped the current way of my psychotherapy practice. Of course, supervision was essential in feeling that I could rely on my own feet as a therapist, but also in finding my identity through these diverse interests.
About me
As a traveller in the world of people and symbols, through the combination of scientific knowledge and artistic creativity, I approach the psychotherapy of individuals and groups and the support of communities and organizations. More specifically, alongside psychotherapy for individuals and groups, through continuous research and methodological combination, I design and implement interventions through art, psychology and anthropology for organizations, companies or communities that aim to leave a social impact and offer relief and awareness to the subjects, enhancing social cohesion and the relation with their environment.
The person
Studies
Through the science of Psychology and Anthropology, I have applied Dramatherapy to a wide range of issues, such as trauma therapy, addiction therapy, improving interpersonal relationships, mental development, social inclusion, the fostering of creativity and new skills, social awareness and environmental activism.
Just before the end of the last century, my private Dramatherapy office/studio was established, the “Multi-Space for Arts and Therapy” in Pefki- Athens, where Psychotherapy is delivered to individuals, groups, couples and families, Supervision to younger colleagues and Training seminars to professionals. Since 2005, I have been teaching the method of Dramatherapy in collaboration with universities and other educational frameworks.
My career has brought me into contact with diverse populations and challenges, from working with individuals and groups at a clinical level to collaborating with universities in Greece and abroad, as well as companies and international organizations. As a scientific coordinator of mental health programs or as an external collaborator, I have worked in addiction programs, detention centres, child welfare institutions, schools, drama schools, professional groups and companies (in which I designed and implemented training or team-building programs), hospitals, European and municipal programs, research centres, international organizations.
My understanding and familiarity with different cultures and international collaborations help me offer effective services to a wide range of groups and communities. I have contributed to the development and implementation of innovative programs that promote mental health, ecological awareness, social comfort and community connection during times of crisis, or the support of working groups in multicultural environments. With colleagues from the Balkans to Africa and from Asia to America, as well as with distinguished Greek colleagues, we have been, and some continue to be, fellow travelers on this journey.
France, the country of my youth, holds a special place in my heart, and I gratefully return there as a professional, following an invitation from my dear colleague and friend Kathleen Olivier, in 2010, to contribute to the dissemination of the Dramatherapy method there and the establishment of the French Association of Dramatherapists. Furthermore, we are creating the first book on Dramatherapy in France with Sophie Pluen and Kathleen Olivier, collecting articles from French colleagues, highlighting clinical practice in the country and its unique characteristics.
Another special and close cultural relationship is with China, which began during my student years and continues with ongoing study, a long-standing relationship with Tai Chi Quan, the love and study of the Chinese language, traditional Chinese arts, and the study of practices related to psychosomatic health.
I am an active member of scientific and other associations, contributing to the development of the field of the psychology of cultural studies and dramatherapy at a local and international level.
“The relationship of the residents of Iliako Chorio with their place of residence”.
In collaboration with the Pefki Public Polyclinic.
“Memories, practices and perceptions related to the Viosa (Aoos) river”.
In the framework of the Konitsa summer school, under the auspices of the University of Ioannina.
With Ilir Kaso, Maria Goudi, Simone Deida and Ioana Bobe.
“The social life of the mulberries of Bobostiche”
In the framework of the 9th Konitsa summer school, under the auspices of the University of Ioannina.
With Joscelyn Jurich, Anastasia Kriachko, Madeleine Hendricks.
“Memories of the Cyclovoros torrent”
In the Gyzi region and the residents’ relationship with the environment of their neighbourhood, together with Liminals.
“The «Pures» Villages”
Research for the final project for the Performance-Art studies.
“The place and its history”
As part of therapeutic Ethnodrama, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Institute of Dramatherapy
“The air and breathing”
A comparative study for the Diploma thesis of the Master’s program in Social and Cultural Anthropology
“The air and breathing”,
For the Diploma thesis of the Master’s program in Social and Cultural Anthropology.
“Magic, beliefs and healing from the mgamga”.
Research about the healing methods of the traditional wiches-therapists of the island
“Social representations on the gender in Masaai”
Song of Myself
Theatrical adaptation of Walt Whitman’s poem, Direction and Performance at the Center for Training in Therapy through the Arts, with the CPS Arts students after Dramatherapy work.
Α healing message for the world
Conception and implementation of an international project to save the Amazon Forest. November 2020, with the participation of Greece, France, Bulgaria, Belgium and the USA.
Interconnectedness
Ethnodrama in Lavrio with a group of American actors and dramatherapists
Breath: A Call to Unity
Interactive performance aiming to raise awareness about trafficking outside the brothels of Iasonos in Metaxourgeio.
L’ Art-Thérapie pour la démocratie
Master-Classe/Performance outside the Opera in Paris, organized by FFAT (Fédération Française des Arts-Thérapeutes) on World Water Day
Eros Data Bank
Started within the framework of the 4th international conference in Dramatherapy and Playtherapy with the theme: “Eros and Psyche: Myth and Perspective”
If we all really fall in love, the State will collapse
A performance based on a wall message during the economic crisis. During the 4th International Conference on Dramatherapy and Playtherapy, with the theme “Eros and Psyche: Myth and Perspective”, December 4, 2016. The performance was selected and participated in the international edition of ALMANAC PERFORMANCE 2017.
Eye Contact
Social experiment in Athens with the group Liminals, at “the world’s largest social experiment with the performance of eye contact” (Eye Contact) October 2015.
From the line to the Cycle-borus, the water knows its way
Performance-ethnographic research within the festival’s framework “The Little Paris of Athens”
A performance adaptation of the work of Albert Camus, directed by Stavros Stangos with the Liminals. Embros Theater.
“The Stranger
A performance based on the work of Albert Camus, directed by Vicky Lafiati with Liminals. It was presented as part of the “Little Paris” festival in October 2013
Little Paris
“Participation in the opening ceremony of the festival The little Paris
Permet in Albania. in collaboration with Ilir Kaso, Maria Goudi, Simone Deida & Ioana Bobe. Into the context of the Konitsa Summer School, University of Ioannina
“La dramathérapie psychanalytique. L’exemple d’un groupe de chômeurs en Grèce”
L’exemple d’un groupe de chômeurs en Grèce”, 2020, in K. Olivier, S. Pluen, D. Stavrou (Eds.) Dramathérapie: Applications cliniques. Paris: Harmattan.
“Ethnodrama”, 2024, in E. Segal et al. (Eds) An Encyclopedia of radical helping, Washington: Thick Press LLC.
“«Le pigeon sait »…Comment les pratiques magicothérapeutiques en Tanzanies peuvent inspirer nos methodes psychotherapeutiques occidentales” 2024. Poster and presentation to French mental health colleagues at the Consortium Arts et Thérapies Traditionnelles, May 10-12, Breuilla, France.
“Developmental Ritualistic Model of Interconnectedness” (Stavrou-Trigazi 2016®), 2023, (poster and presentation). A proposal for dealing with trauma, open to different psychotherapeutic approaches”. 12th conference of the National Society of Psychotherapists of Greece.
“Can the subaltern breathe? Breathing as a hybrid of organicity and relating” [Master thesis]. 2022. Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology. Panteion University. (Accessible in the archive of the university “Pandimos”).
“La dramathérapie psychanalytique. L’exemple d’un groupe de chômeurs en Grèce” (2021), στο K. Olivier, S. Pluen, D. Stavrou (Eds.) Dramathérapie: Applications cliniques. Paris: Harmattan.
“The medium is the message: The transformation of drama therapy practice during COVID-19”, 2020, in Drama Therapy Review, 6, [2, supplement], (pp.18,1-18,5).
“La dramathérapie psychanalytique. L’exemple d’un groupe de chômeurs en Grèce”, 2020, in K. Olivier, S. Pluen, D. Stavrou (Eds.) Dramathérapie: Applications cliniques. Paris: Harmattan.
“Interview with Dimitra Stavrou about Ethnodrama” [Vidéo] interview to Kamran Afary for his students of Media Department of California State University, instead of my visit there, cancelled because of the pandemic.
“Diagnostic tests into the expressive arts therapies: Drama Therapy”, (With L. Yiotis), 2019, in the “Contribution of the expressive arts therapies into the psychiatric therapy”, Eds. Lambros Yiotis, Dimitris Maravellis, A. Panagoutsou, Eleni Giannouli, Athens: Vita editions.
“Photodreams : The use of photoshop in the visualization of visions” 2019, [poster] 4th conference of art therapy, Athens. (November).
“The name as a starting point for understanding the Other and of a self-knowledge trip: Meeting Mijaks (=Cleans)” 2018. Ethnographic research into the context of the final essay for the e-learning training program “Performance: Theoretical aspects and Practical Applications” of the University of Athens.
“Sur le terrain: Le temps et l’espace en tant que signifiants pour l’ art-thérapeute” (2017). Central lecture into the 17th conference of the French Federation of art-therapists (FFAT), Paris, 25 & 26/03.
“With myth as passport: The example of a drama therapy model” (in cooperation with F. Trigazi), lecture into the 4th international conference of drama and play therapy, Athens, 2-4/ 12/ 2016
“Stained hands: The social and cultural life of the Mulberry Tree in Bobostice, Albania”, (in collaboration with Hendricks, M., Jurich J., and Kryachko, A.) in: “Ethnographic Research in Border Areas: Contribution to the study of international frontiers in Southeast Europe” , 2016. Eds. Vassilis Nitsiakos, Ioannis Manos, Georgios Agelopoulos, Aliki Angelidou, Vasilis Dalkavoukis and Vasiliki Krava, Zurich and Berlin: LIT VERLAG.
“L’ Odysée de la dramathérapie grècque”, central lecture, presented in Paris παρουσιάστηκε into the 2e gathering of drama therapists and other professionals using scenic arts for psychotherapy.
“Is there a religious meaning in mulberry trees and their cultural appropriation by the villagers of Boboshtica – Albania?” , paper presented into the 13th international border crossing student’s conference “Balkan worlds, Balkan lives: Experiencing, sensing and imagining the “realities”, Sarajevo, April 2015.
“Water Privatization. A micro-analysis of enabling and countering factors in a small town in Albania. From local to global”, με τον Ilir Kaso, παρουσιάστηκε στο: 12th International Border Crossings Students Conference, Belgrade, (1-4 May 2014).
The black theatre in therapy. Clinical applications. Lecture presented into the First conference of Unima “Puppets and therapy”, March 2014, Athens.
“La dramathérapie psychanalytique: L’exemple d’un groupe de chômeurs en Grèce”, paper presented in the International Conference “Psychanalyse et Groupe”, organized by CNAM, Paris March 2013.
“Reconstructing the broken mirror: The benefits of dramatherapy method for facing schizophrenia”, paper presented in the European Conference of Drama and Playtherapists, Athens November 2012.
“Depression in drug-addicted teenagers and dramatherapy intervention.” Paper presented in the 7th Pan-Hellenic conference of pedopsychiatry, Athens May 2011.
“Drama as Trojan Horse”, lecture in the first symposium of “The Institute for Live Arts Research”, “Communi(cat)ion of Crisis”, Nafpaktos, June 2011.
“Eros-Thanatos in dramatherapy”, lecture in the 2e Conference of the Greek Association of Drama and Play Therapists” Harokopio University of Athens, May 2011.
“La méthode de dramathérapie”, lecture to French Psychologists and Psychiaters, in Perpignan-France, organized by CREATHERAPIE, september 2010.
“Multi-mediation in therapy and education: the rupture and the combination of methods for the intervention in groups”, in Υπερνεωτερικό υποκείμενο, Eds. Kl.Nauridis, N.Hristakis, (2010) Athens: Ellinika Grammata
(in cooperation with Carmine Parrella): “Le psychologue digital. Applications cliniques en Italie et en Grèce”, in International french speaking conference “Communication-Systèmes, interactions, Santé”, organized from the team C-SIS, of Lille University, February 2008.
“The double mediation of art and technology. The example of a virtual group with dramatherapy techniques”, 13th conference of ECARTE, Tallinn, September 2007.
“From floating to sailing”: the metaphor as a training mediation in executives of multinational company, 1st Greek Conference Of Dramatherapy And Playtherapy, Harokopion University, May 2007
“The therapy of a case with panic crisis with the method of Individual Dramatherapy (case study)”, 1st Greek Conference Of Dramatherapy And Playtherapy, Harokopion University, May 2007
“The evaluation of new technologies for the formation of an online team with therapeutic purposes”. 11th Conference ΕΛΨΕ, Rethymnon, May 2007
“The dramatic metaphor in the Internet’s Sociopsychology”, 10th conference ΕΛΨΕ, December 2005
“The body-image through a dramatherapeutic technique”, Daily Conference Body And Photograph, TEI oh Athens, April 2005
“The therapeutic dimension of the mask”, oral intervention during the festival Masks and Civilizations, organized from EMPE, on the Cultural center Melina of Athens municipality, March 2005.
With Krasanaki St., “Group dramatherapy with families of drug addicted persons”, 6th World Council Of Psychotherapy, Marrakesh 2000
The world’s first online drama therapy group since 2005.
Online drama therapy groups started in 2005 and were the first online drama therapy groups in the world to use the technologies available at that time. Technology is used as a modern tool to benefit the healing process for people far from Athens, where my office is.
The Developmental Ritual model of Interconnectedness (Stavrou-Trigazi 2016).
It is a new therapeutic method for dealing with trauma and personal development, which we co-created with F. Trigazi after many years of research and fermentation. Although the model refers to Drama- Therapy (Interconnective Dramatherapy Stavrou-Trigazi 2016), it can be applied by various therapeutic approaches.
Ethnodrama
Ethnodrama initiated during the period of economic crisis in Greece and joined my work as therapy by combining Ethnography with artistic representation. Ethnodrama has many applications and is used in different contexts/levels – from individual and group Psychotherapy to Activism. In Therapy, it is mainly related to Ethnodramatherapy, but it is not limited to it.
Symbolic Therapy for the Community
Therapeutic applications are applied at the collective level, especially during times of crisis, with the goals of awareness, connection and relief. It is a comprehensive methodology with strong theoretical foundations adapted to the population, the situation and the goals.
Expressive media in Ethnography
Expressive psychotherapy becomes an inspiration to introduce, explore, and record another “discourse” of the interlocutors through arts during ethnographic research. Since 2013, people’s drawings and other forms of artistic expressiveness have been added to the research data.
Honorary plaque from the Pefki Polyclinic for voluntary service
Honorary distinction from colleagues in prison in Northern Ireland for the introduction of the drama therapy method in Korydallos prison
Honorary member of the French Association of Drama Therapists
The “En Ergo” Social Enterprise, of which I presided, was recognized as an example of good practice at a British Council special event.
Three gold medals, one silver and two bronze, in the Chinese martial art Tai Chi Chuan, in Panhellenic and Mediterranean Asian martial arts competitions. Holder of two duans.